Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister. The savings target in this year was €50 million. How much has been saved to date and will the target be reached by the end of the year? Why has the Government failed so dismally to transfer people from rent supplement to RAS. Since 2005, 22,400 people have been transferred from rent supplement to RAS or to local authority accommodation. This is a damning indictment of the delivery of a stated commitment of Government. This is especially true in light of the fact that 32,600 people would be deemed eligible at this time. What is the Minister doing to ensure this happens and how are we in a situation where people are refusing to join RAS or refusing to move into local authority accommodation and staying in the rent supplement scheme?

See this speech in context